Never have I ever . . .

Those who have played the game “never have I ever” will know the purpose is to think of things others in the group will have done, which you have not. For example, “Never have I ever (drag raced, gotten a tattoo, received a “D” grade, . . .)”. You start with all fingers (and thumbs) up as counters and one is dropped each time you’ve done one of the mentioned actions.

Why am I sharing about this game? Let’s just say that in Christian circles it must be somewhat –censored – and can become a bit dull if there are no creative thinkers in the group. It is a “get to know you” game and often the ones who lose all their counters first are those who have experienced life “in the world” before they became Christians. Commonly, these are also the people thought to have lived the most interesting life.

Many believers who have grown up as Christians look at their testimony as being rather boring, too. God did not pull them out of drugs, alcoholism, wild partying, hurtful pranks . . . They never experienced the world apart from with Christ. Yet I ask: HOW can we make this sound like a bad thing? It is a beautiful, glorious blessing!

And to think life in Christ is boring shows that one has not received a true revelation of the Lord, or what He did for us!

I propose the game be changed to things we have experienced. We could share of: the transformation He has accomplished in us; prayers we have seen answered; healings and miracles; times He has overwhelmed us with His compassion; visions He has given; dreams, prophecies, or times of intercession lasting through the night; spontaneous worship sessions; baptisms; His miraculous provision in dire circumstances; what following Him has cost us – and what we have received; reconciliation that He initiated; freedom; the revealing and living out of our passions; the knowledge we have purpose and were created in the image of God . . . Do I need to go on?

Paul says it well:

For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. (Romans 6:20-21).

Why do many within the church still speak lovingly of how they lived before Christ? If such a way of living gave you life, then go back to it. If you can not see that you were dead in those ways, then why come to Christ?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-25).

In Christ we receive LIFE and LIFE TO THE FULL!

Let us no longer live as slaves. Let us no longer look upon the slaves as somehow better off. Let them have their momentary, and unfulfilling, pleasures. Let us who know Christ live in the joy of our salvation.

I know that my life certainly has not been boring since turning fully to God! He had freed me to walk in my passions; to pursue my dreams; to seek the extraordinary in life.

If you can not see life now as better than it was without Him, then pray that God will give you a greater revelation. Ask Him to take you on a grand adventure. Stop looking back and start looking forward. Forget the “never will I evers” and seek the glories of God.